Monitoring for Cancer Recurrence

After successful treatment for breast, skin, prostate, colorectal, or any other form of cancer, vigilant follow-up care is essential over the long term to ensure that the cancer does not recur or to quickly detect the recurrence so that additional treatment can be provided. Understanding that cancer can recur not just locally but regionally – within nearby lymph nodes – or in some other part of the body that is more distant from the original occurrence, regular visits with your oncologist may be required along with a variety of lab tests and health screenings. It’s also worth noting that patients who have had one form of cancer may be at higher risk of developing a second, different type of cancer – in part because of radiation and chemotherapy exposure during treatment for the original disease. That’s why our cancer specialists provide comprehensive cancer treatment plans for their patients that include recommendations for follow-up care along with a detailed medical record of the patient’s condition that can help inform any further treatment they may require.